Margaret Virginia "Margie" Lightner

Margaret “Margie” Virginia Lightner passed away January 17, 2024.

Margie was born November 6, 1928 in Long Beach, California.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jim Lightner; parents Harry and Ruth (Samuels) Rattelman; brother Harry Rattelman; sisters Louise Putnam and Nancy Stratton; great-grandson Bodhi D. Lightner; grandson Bobby Lightner and many other dear relatives.

She attended Hollywood High in California and her graduation ceremony was held in the Rose Bowl.

She first saw her husband James “Jim” Lightner while she was working in the Los Angeles City Hall. “That’s the man I am going to marry.” A year later, they met on Catalina Island, California. They married in Hollywood, California Dec. 4, 1948 and were married almost 72 years.

They raised five children: Ruth Hunter (Bill, deceased) of Green Bay, Wisconsin; Jim (Kathy) Lightner of Littleton, Colorado; Tom Lightner of Pharr, Texas; Bob (Susie) Lightner of Lyndon Station, Wisconsin and Don (Jenny) Lightner of Franksville, Wisconsin. The families brought forth 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

After retirement, Margie and Jim spent their winters in Mercedes, Texas for 24 years.

Margie was a stay-a-home Mom with great seamstress skills. One of her favorite memories was making matching swimsuits for her children so she could easily see them when the family went to the beach. Of course, once they went into the ocean, the matching swimsuits weren’t helpful. She excelled as a Brownie Leader for future groundbreakers.

She was an active member in the Methodist Church in McHenry, Illinois; Racine, Wisconsin; LaVerne¸ California; Banning, California; and Green Bay, Wisconsin. She was a volunteer for Hospice in Texas and enjoyed tennis and golfing. She achieved a Hole-in-One in Green Bay.

A service celebrating Margie’s life will be held on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 1 p.m. with a visitation starting at 12:30 p.m. at Newcomer
Cremations, Funerals, Receptions, 340 S. Monroe Ave, Green Bay.

Margie's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.

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